The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all of the other ages you’ve been.
Because we fail to listen to each other’s stories, we are becoming a fragmented human race.
Madeleine L’Engle (1918-2007) was an American writer and poet who frequently wrote about her Christian faith as well as her interest in modern science.
Half an hour of listening is essential except when one is very busy. Then, a full hour is needed.
From Isaiah 41:1: “Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak;let us together draw near for judgment.”
From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
When we have something to share, we naturally want undivided attention. Guess what–God is the same way. He speaks with a purpose and expects our complete focus and attention.
From 1 Samuel 3:8-10: “The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.'”